Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day: “Sustain”

Date: November 28, 2025
Host: Peter Sokolowski (Merriam-Webster)

Main Theme

This episode introduces listeners to the word “sustain.” The host explores its meanings, usage in context, etymology, and notes on its popularity among Merriam-Webster lookups. The purpose is to enrich listeners’ vocabulary and understanding of the word’s versatility.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Definition and Usage

• Spelling & Part of Speech
  • “Today's Word is sustain, spelled S U S T A I N. Sustain is a verb.” (00:42)
• Primary Meaning
  • “To sustain someone or something is to provide what is needed for that person or thing to exist or continue.” (00:49)
• Additional Meanings
  • “Sustain also means to hold up the weight of, to suffer or endure, or to confirm or prove.” (00:56)
• Legal Usage
  • “In legal contexts, to sustain something is to decide or state that it is proper, legal or fair.” (01:01)

2. Example in Context

• Quotation from Chicago Daily Herald
  “Pushing falling leaves into garden beds to insulate plants and nourish the soil will also shelter hibernating insects that in turn will sustain ground-feeding birds. It's much better for the ecosystem and easier for the gardener than bagging them up and sending them to a landfill.” (01:10)

3. Etymology & Historical Use

• Historical Usage
  • “The word sustain is both handy and hearty. Its use has been sustained since the days of Middle English.” (01:50)
• Roots
  • “It traces back to the Latin verb sustinere, meaning to hold up or to sustain.” (01:55)
• Breadth of Application
  • “…by its utility across a variety of consequential subjects, from environmental protections to legal proceedings to medical reports.” (01:59)

4. Contemporary Relevance

• Popularity in Lookups
  • “The word is so prevalent and so varied in its application, in fact, that it enjoys sustained high ranking as one of our top lookups. Evidence of our readers' sustained commitment to, well, sustaining themselves with information about words.” (02:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Sustain is both handy and hearty. Its use has been sustained since the days of Middle English.” (01:50) — Peter Sokolowski
• “…sustained high ranking as one of our top lookups. Evidence of our readers’ sustained commitment to, well, sustaining themselves with information about words.” (02:04) — Peter Sokolowski

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:42 — Word introduction, spelling, part of speech
• 00:49 — Primary and secondary definitions
• 01:01 — Legal context explanation
• 01:10 — Real-world example from Chicago Daily Herald
• 01:50 — Discussion on historical usage and etymology
• 02:04 — Relevance and popularity of “sustain” in lookups

Tone and Language

The host adopts a warm, educational, and slightly playful tone:

• Uses gentle humor (“both handy and hearty”, “sustained commitment to, well, sustaining themselves”)
• Clearly articulates the word’s nuances and breadth
• Invites listeners to further explore words and language at Merriam-Webster

This episode serves as a concise yet rich exploration of “sustain,” making its depth and flexibility clear for listeners.